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England’s hopes of remaining competitive in the final Test were slipping away today after a hard-hitting seventh wicket partnership powered Australia into a crucial lead.

Resuming the third day at the Sydney Cricket Ground trailing by 103 runs, the hosts seemed set to concede a deficit after Mike Hussey was removed with the eighth ball of the day without adding to his overnight 37, but Andrew Symonds helped Australia rebuild with a careful 48 before Adam Gilchrist teamed up with Shane Warne in a stunning 58-run stand off 44 balls which was only broken by another contentious umpiring decision.

That partnership helped Australia into a 34-run lead at 325 for seven at lunch with Warne unbeaten on 40 off 31 balls as England again counted the cost of missed opportunities on a third morning extended to make up the time lost to rain the previous day.

Lancashire seamer James Anderson had given England a flying start by squaring up Hussey and inducing him into a low catch behind to wicketkeeper Chris Read.

But that brought Gilchrist to the crease, who quickly got into his stride and took only two overs to signal his intent by hitting Anderson through point for the first of eight boundaries in his 62 off 71 balls.

Gilchrist, who hit the second fastest Test century of all time during the third Test in Perth, dominated a 70-run partnership with Symonds which steadied the innings and denied England momentum following their early success.

Australia`s vice-captain enjoyed his fair share of luck and was dropped on 22 by Anderson at short extra cover after he attempted to drive Steve Harmison on the up and and hooked just short of Kevin Pietersen on the mid-wicket boundary off Sajid Mahmood on 48.

But the wicketkeeper`s attacking display successfully guided Australia past England’s first innings total after Symonds, who had been unusually cautious, was bowled during an impressive spell from left-arm spinner Monty Panesar.

England will probably feel aggrieved Panesar did not also claim a second wicket in the same over after Warne had launched him for a six and a four when he appeared to be caught behind off the glove only for umpire Aleem Dar to reject the appeal and it was a costly misjudgement, with Warne hammering five fours and two sixes to dominate his stand with Gilchrist, which was ended with the third delivery with the new ball.

Pushing the ball wide of off-stump, Anderson beat Gilchrist’s attempted late cut but still appealed and umpire Billy Bowden lifted his crooked finger. Television replays suggested the batsman had missed the ball by some distance.